Assistive Technology (AT) can help students participate in educational activities that they might not be able to otherwise. This could be due to physical limitations or learning differences. All educational staff can help students learn by supporting their use of AT when needed. IEP teams are tasked with considering the AT needs of their students during the IEP meeting. And, most school divisions have an AT Specialist or AT Team to support and guide IEP teams when making AT decisions.
The use of Assistive Technology in educational activities is considered High Leverage Practice #19. High leverage practices are “a set of practices that are integral to the support of student learning” (McLeskey, Maheady, Brownwell, & Lewis, 2019). This practice encourages students and teachers to take a risk and try various AT tools or strategies to support learning.
To gain knowledge about Assistive Technology devices and services check out these resources:
- Assistive Technology Tools in Schools Booklet
- Assistive Technology for Students with Learning Disabilities
McLeskey, J., Maheady, L., Brownwell, M. T., & Lewis, T. J. (2019). High leverage practices for inclusive classrooms. New York: Routledge.
